XCar: Experimental Racing is a Sim Dream!
Bethesda Softworks Introduces The Definitive Racing Game For The PC

Atlanta, E3, Booth #3716, Level 1, June 16, 1997 -- Bethesda Softworks today announced the introduction of a revolutionary racing simulation game offering an unprecedented level of customization. Featuring high-tech prototype cars, XCar: Experimental Racing(TM) is slated for nationwide release in August, 1997.

XCar: Experimental Racing is the game for racing enthusiasts who want to experience the thrill of driving a 900 bhp prototype race car. The first product of its kind to simulate the characteristics and realism of experimental race-bred automobiles, XCar offers an unprecedented level of customization from engine to wing.

"What makes this game stand out from the racing-sim market is that gamers are not limited to the stringent rules and limits that other endorsed racing sims are subject," says Brent Erickson, director of development for XCar: Experimental Racing. "You customize your car in ways that are not permitted by Grand Prix or NASCAR rules. Call it unlimited class racing."

Racers can customize their car from dozens of components, including engine, tires, suspension, steering, and aerodynamics. Players can tailor their engines for higher top speeds, test methanol fuel for explosive acceleration or alter their suspensions for hard or loose handling. Telemetry data can also be used to determine optimal car performance in preparation for qualifying. While assembling the car, the vehicle can be tested on one of four test tracks.

Racers can compete in a single race or an entire circuit on over 10 available tracks. Five raceways are based on actual locations, including MidOhio Park, LimeRock, Grattan Raceway, Putnam and Thunderhill Park. Every track layout is accurately detailed down to the elevations, weather patterns and real sponsors' billboards. The other axle-bending concept tracks lets players experience the thrill of racing in a variety of settings: from a winding mountainous track to the streets of Seattle.

XCar features an unprecedented number of features in a racing game:

• Over 16 different cars to chose from, each one with their own stats and feel.
• Dozens of components for gamers to setup and tweak to perfection.
• Over 15 telemetry data points to analyze your performance.
• Four test tracks to push your skills and car to the test.
• Players can detail cars with the Paintshop feature, and then trade them over the Internet with fellow racers.
• Customizable options let gamers set up race conditions for optimal excitement.
• Replay and save the best races with the VCR function.
• Action mode helps you to learn the track and the handling of the car.
• Several methods of play including Practice Mode, Quick Race, and Circuit Mode.
• Multi-player racing via network and modem where up to 8 drivers can buckle down and race for the gold.

Designed by Bethesda Softworks' west coast development studio, MTL West, XCar: Experimental Racing is one of the fastest and smoothest racing games ever designed. With Bethesda's proprietary 3D engine, the Xngine(TM), gamers can race in a fully realized 3D environment, with complete freedom of movement and sight. The Xngine generates advanced special effects including real-time light sources, realistic weather conditions, spectacular collisions effects and fully textured, contoured terrain.

Headquartered in Rockville, MD, Bethesda is the third largest privately held publisher of PC entertainment software. Bethesda's success and long-standing technical expertise has attracted world-class programmers as well as veterans of the largest Hollywood animation studios. Bethesda has earned recognition through its award winning series The Elder Scrolls(TM), and its Terminator(TM) series. Bethesda the entertainment software division of Media Technology limited, an engineering research and development firm originally founded by members of the Architecture Machine Group from MIT.

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